XXXI

behind the curtains; but sly peeps showed us Fred and the students singing away down below. It was the most romantic thing I ever saw⁠—the river, the bridge of boats, the great fortress opposite, moonlight everywhere, and music fit to melt a heart of stone. “When they were done we threw down some flowers, and saw them scramble for them, kiss their hands to the invisible ladies, and go laughing away⁠—to smoke and drink beer, I suppose. Next morning Fred showed me one of the crumpled flowers in his vest-pocket, and looked very sentimental. I laughed at him, and said I didn’t throw it, but Flo, which seemed to disgust him, for he tossed it out of the window, and turned sensible again. I’m afraid I’m going to have trouble with that boy, it begins to look like it. “The baths at Nassau were very gay, so was Baden-Baden, where Fred lost some money, and I scolded him. He needs someone to look after him when Frank is not with him. Kate said once she hoped he’d marry soon, and I quite agree with her that it would be well for him. Frankfort was delightful; I saw Goethe’s house, Schiller’s statue, and Dannecker’s famous ‘ Ariadne .’ It was very lovely, but I should have enjoyed it more if I had known the story better. I didn’t like to ask, as everyone knew it, or pretended they did. I wish Jo would tell me all about it; I ought to have read more, for I find I don’t know anything, and it mortifies me. “Now comes the serious part⁠—for it happened here, and Fred is just gone. He has been so kind and jolly that we all got quite fond of him; I never thought of anything but a